Madagascar officials foil smuggling plot of rare tortoises August 2011. A shipment of extremely rare and threatened Malagasy tortoises has been seized by officials in Madagascar as smugglers attempted to board a flight with around 200 specimens. Two men, one a native of Madagascar and an Indian national were arrested.
27 Ploughshare and 169 Radiated tortoises
The haul of rare creatures was made up of 27 ploughshare tortoises, 169 radiated tortoises and one spider tortoise. The animals were divided into three suitcases and a number of boxes and following the Kenyan Airways flight to Nairobi the consignment was due to continue on to Dubai before reaching the final destination of Jakarta. The animals are worth tens of thousands of pounds in the illegal pet trade, where they are highly sought after.
The reptiles, believed to range in age from babies through to adult were not picked up on the airport scanning system, and it was as the luggage was loaded onto the aircraft that the authorities became suspicious and the illegal haul was discovered. The tortoises are currently being held at secure quarantine centres while the case is being investigated
"It is a fantastic result that these animals were discovered and the perpetrators caught by the authorities before leaving Madagascar. It is very important that people understand that smuggling these highly threatened animals is a serious crime and we look to the judiciary to apply the full weight of the law." Commented Richard Lewis, Director of Durrell's Madagascar Programme.
Tortoise decline in Madagascar
The reduction in the tortoise population of Madagascar can be traced back to the 18th and 19th century when animals were taken as a valuable food source for visiting sailors; in the 20th century adult tortoises were often used as ‘courtyard cleaners' for the more wealthy locals. The 1990's saw an explosion in the illegal pet trade, when young ploughshares were particularly popular with the European and American markets and a single individual could fetch thousands of dollars a tempting proposition for some of the Malagasy people whose average wage is less than a dollar a day.
Catastrophic affect on the native population
Now the current political instability in Madagascar has exacerbated the trafficking situation as global animal smuggling groups have seized the opportunity to exploit the situation. This coupled with the increase in wealth in South East Asia and China where purchasers are willing to pay top prices for live specimens as pets has had a catastrophic affect on the native population.
"Like most illegal trade in wildlife, we are dealing with a situation where external demand for animals is corrupting poverty stricken communities. While we are trying to support the enforcement of wildlife laws within Madagascar, we must also tackle the demand coming from overseas. This remains the single greatest challenge for the future of the ploughshare tortoise and countless other species" said Andrew Terry, Head of Durrell's Field Programmes.
Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust have been working with the Critically Endangered ploughshare tortoise in Madagascar for the last 25 years and have over that time achieved considerable success with their captive breeding programme based in Ampijoroa; to date over 200 animals have been raised in the centre and 45 released into the wild. Durrell has started a new initiative with international partners to address the trade in ploughshare tortoises and to raise awareness of animals being traded illegally. We will continue to work with the national authorities and local NGOs such as Voahary Gasy in Madagascar and partners in South East Asia to halt the illegal trade in these species.
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/madagascar-ploughshare011.html
Showing posts with label animal smugglers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label animal smugglers. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
200 of the world's rarest tortoises seized from smugglers in Madagascar
Two smugglers bound for Indonesia have been arrested
August 2011: Two hundred of the world's rarest tortoises have been seized in Madagascar, as during an attempt to smuggle them out of the country to Indonsia. Two men have been arrested.
Frontier Police found 26 ploughshare tortoises, 169 radiated tortoises and a spider tortoise in a box and three large bags that were transported directly to the tarmac, circumventing security scanners, according to local media reports.
Upon scanning the bags, authorities discovered the tortoises hidden inside and proceeded to arrest two men, one of whom had already boarded the flight. The two arrested were a Malagasy and an Indian national.
Just a few hundred left in the wild
All three tortoise species only occur naturally in Madagascar - and there are thought to be only a few hundred ploughshare tortoises left in the wild. All three tortoises are classified by the IUCN as Critically Endangered.
Their international commercial trade is banned under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), yet these species frequently turn up in seizures and are seen for sale in markets of South-East Asia.
Earlier this year, TRAFFIC released the results of its investigations in Thailand, which found more than 100 radiated tortoises, dozens of spider tortoises, and three ploughshare tortoises for sale in markets and online. And in February, authorities in Bangkok arrested an Indonesian national with seven radiated and one ploughshare tortoise in his bags at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
100 tortoises leave Madagscar each week
A WWF survey published last year showed that ten or more zebu carts filled with about 100 tortoises each are leaving the Mahafaly Plateau in south Madagascar every week, and pointed to ongoing political instability as the driver for the large jump in illegal collection of spider tortoises and radiated tortoises.
‘Those involved in apprehending these criminals in Ivato are to be congratulated,' says Chris Shepherd, deputy regional director of TRAFFIC South East Asia.
‘Responsibility does not lie with Madagascar alone, but also with importing countries. The authorities in Indonesia and other parts of South East Asia should take firm and immediate action against those trading in these species and put an end to this illicit trade.'
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/tortoise-smuggling.html#cr
August 2011: Two hundred of the world's rarest tortoises have been seized in Madagascar, as during an attempt to smuggle them out of the country to Indonsia. Two men have been arrested.
Frontier Police found 26 ploughshare tortoises, 169 radiated tortoises and a spider tortoise in a box and three large bags that were transported directly to the tarmac, circumventing security scanners, according to local media reports.
very rare ploughshare tortoises
Upon scanning the bags, authorities discovered the tortoises hidden inside and proceeded to arrest two men, one of whom had already boarded the flight. The two arrested were a Malagasy and an Indian national.
Just a few hundred left in the wild
All three tortoise species only occur naturally in Madagascar - and there are thought to be only a few hundred ploughshare tortoises left in the wild. All three tortoises are classified by the IUCN as Critically Endangered.
Their international commercial trade is banned under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), yet these species frequently turn up in seizures and are seen for sale in markets of South-East Asia.
Earlier this year, TRAFFIC released the results of its investigations in Thailand, which found more than 100 radiated tortoises, dozens of spider tortoises, and three ploughshare tortoises for sale in markets and online. And in February, authorities in Bangkok arrested an Indonesian national with seven radiated and one ploughshare tortoise in his bags at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
100 tortoises leave Madagscar each week
A WWF survey published last year showed that ten or more zebu carts filled with about 100 tortoises each are leaving the Mahafaly Plateau in south Madagascar every week, and pointed to ongoing political instability as the driver for the large jump in illegal collection of spider tortoises and radiated tortoises.
‘Those involved in apprehending these criminals in Ivato are to be congratulated,' says Chris Shepherd, deputy regional director of TRAFFIC South East Asia.
‘Responsibility does not lie with Madagascar alone, but also with importing countries. The authorities in Indonesia and other parts of South East Asia should take firm and immediate action against those trading in these species and put an end to this illicit trade.'
http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/tortoise-smuggling.html#cr
Monday, August 1, 2011
Malagasy Frontier Police seize Indonesia-bound shipment of 'world's rarest' tortoises (Via HerpDigest)
Malagasy Frontier Police seize Indonesia-bound shipment of 'world's rarest' tortoises
Wednesday, July 27, 2011. Traffic
Antananarivo, Madagascar, 27th July 2011-Authorities in Madagascar on Monday arrested two men and seized close to 200 of some of the world's rarest tortoises that they were trying to smuggle out of Antananarivo's Ivato Airport to Jakarta, Indonesia. Frontier Police found 26 Ploughshare Tortoises Astrochelys yniphora, 169 Radiated Tortoises Astrochelys radiata and one Spider Tortoise Pyxis arachnoides in a box and three large bags that were transported directly to the tarmac, circumventing security scanners, according to local media reports. Upon scanning the bags, authorities discovered the tortoises hidden inside and proceeded to arrest two men, one of whom had already boarded the flight
. The two arrested were a Malagasy and an Indian national. Local media have quoted Brunel Razafintsiandraofa, Chief of Border Police, as saying that the smuggler's final destination was Indonesia, via Nairobi and Dubai. He also told press that the principal destination of wildlife trafficked from Madagascar was to South-East Asia. The shipment includes a stunning number of Ploughshare Tortoises, of which there are only a few hundred left in the wild, making it one of the world's rarest tortoise species. All three tortoise species seized are classified by IUCN as Critically Endangered-considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild-and fully protected by law in Madagascar.
All three occur naturally only in Madagascar. Their international commercial trade is also banned under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), yet these species frequently turn up in seizures and are seen for sale in markets of South-East Asia.
This June, TRAFFIC released the results of its investigations in Thailand, which found over a hundred Radiated Tortoises, dozens of Spider Tortoises, and three Ploughshare Tortoises for sale in markets and online. In February this year, authorities in Bangkok arrested an Indonesian national with seven Radiated and one Ploughshare Tortoise in his bags at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
In August 2010, TRAFFIC also observed these species for sale at an expo in Jakarta. Several large-scale seizures of these tortoises were also made in Malaysia and Thailand in 2010. Most were found stuffed and hidden in luggage smuggled through airports. A WWF survey published last year showed that ten or more zebu carts filled with around 100 tortoises each are leaving the Mahafaly Plateau in south Madagascar every week, and pointed to ongoing political instability as the driver for the large jump in illegal collection of Spider Tortoises and Radiated Tortoises. "Those involved in apprehending these criminals in Ivato are to be congratulated," says Chris R. Shepherd, Deputy Regional Director of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia.
"Responsibility does not lie with Madagascar alone, but also with importing countries. The authorities in Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia should take firm and immediate action against those trading in these species and put an end to this illicit trade." Press reports say the turtles were given over to the Water and Forest Services.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011. Traffic
Antananarivo, Madagascar, 27th July 2011-Authorities in Madagascar on Monday arrested two men and seized close to 200 of some of the world's rarest tortoises that they were trying to smuggle out of Antananarivo's Ivato Airport to Jakarta, Indonesia. Frontier Police found 26 Ploughshare Tortoises Astrochelys yniphora, 169 Radiated Tortoises Astrochelys radiata and one Spider Tortoise Pyxis arachnoides in a box and three large bags that were transported directly to the tarmac, circumventing security scanners, according to local media reports. Upon scanning the bags, authorities discovered the tortoises hidden inside and proceeded to arrest two men, one of whom had already boarded the flight
. The two arrested were a Malagasy and an Indian national. Local media have quoted Brunel Razafintsiandraofa, Chief of Border Police, as saying that the smuggler's final destination was Indonesia, via Nairobi and Dubai. He also told press that the principal destination of wildlife trafficked from Madagascar was to South-East Asia. The shipment includes a stunning number of Ploughshare Tortoises, of which there are only a few hundred left in the wild, making it one of the world's rarest tortoise species. All three tortoise species seized are classified by IUCN as Critically Endangered-considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild-and fully protected by law in Madagascar.
All three occur naturally only in Madagascar. Their international commercial trade is also banned under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), yet these species frequently turn up in seizures and are seen for sale in markets of South-East Asia.
This June, TRAFFIC released the results of its investigations in Thailand, which found over a hundred Radiated Tortoises, dozens of Spider Tortoises, and three Ploughshare Tortoises for sale in markets and online. In February this year, authorities in Bangkok arrested an Indonesian national with seven Radiated and one Ploughshare Tortoise in his bags at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
In August 2010, TRAFFIC also observed these species for sale at an expo in Jakarta. Several large-scale seizures of these tortoises were also made in Malaysia and Thailand in 2010. Most were found stuffed and hidden in luggage smuggled through airports. A WWF survey published last year showed that ten or more zebu carts filled with around 100 tortoises each are leaving the Mahafaly Plateau in south Madagascar every week, and pointed to ongoing political instability as the driver for the large jump in illegal collection of Spider Tortoises and Radiated Tortoises. "Those involved in apprehending these criminals in Ivato are to be congratulated," says Chris R. Shepherd, Deputy Regional Director of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia.
"Responsibility does not lie with Madagascar alone, but also with importing countries. The authorities in Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia should take firm and immediate action against those trading in these species and put an end to this illicit trade." Press reports say the turtles were given over to the Water and Forest Services.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Live pangolins and dried snake skins seized in Thailand (Via Herp Digest)
Live pangolins and dried snake skins seized in Thailand
Traffic -Bangkok, Thailand, 20th April 2011-A van packed to the brim with 173 live pangolins and 130 kilogrammes of dried snake skins was confiscated by Thai Customs officers in the wee hours of this morning in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Officers stopped the white truck and its driver at 3 a.m in the town of Pranburi.
The Thai national who was arrested is believed to have transported the cargo from the Southern Thai town of Had Yai to Songkla and was headed to Bangkok. Prachuap Khiri Khan, where the items were seized, is a bottleneck for transportation and an ideal location for authorities to focus their enforcement attention.
It is a transit point through which all traffic from Indonesia and Malaysia must pass to access central and northern Thailand, as well as the rest of Indochina. Thai Press reports say the truck driver was held for violations under Thailand's Customs regulations and for flouting laws that govern international trade in wildlife under the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna.
The endangered Pangolin commonly turns up in seizures around the region and is trafficked in large volumes for the illegal meat and medicine markets. The suspect and the wildlife seized have been handed over to the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department for further investigation and action. This recent seizure follows close on the heels of the Customs Department's recent find of 1,800 monitor lizards which smugglers were attempting to traffic across the border from Malaysia in several pickup trucks. "Thailand's Customs authorities should be congratulated for catching this shipment," said TRAFFIC Regional Director Dr. William Schaedla. "Pangolin trafficking up the Malay Peninsula and along this roadway are regular tragic occurrences.
TRAFFIC is hopeful that interdictions like this will become a deterrent that breaks the trade chain that is robbing Southeast Asia of its wildlife," he said. In early April, a team of Malaysian wildlife officers in the northern state of Kelantan seized 40 pangolins, weighing a total of 200 kilograms, from a car believed to be heading for China via Thailand.
Traffic -Bangkok, Thailand, 20th April 2011-A van packed to the brim with 173 live pangolins and 130 kilogrammes of dried snake skins was confiscated by Thai Customs officers in the wee hours of this morning in Prachuap Khiri Khan. Officers stopped the white truck and its driver at 3 a.m in the town of Pranburi.
The Thai national who was arrested is believed to have transported the cargo from the Southern Thai town of Had Yai to Songkla and was headed to Bangkok. Prachuap Khiri Khan, where the items were seized, is a bottleneck for transportation and an ideal location for authorities to focus their enforcement attention.
It is a transit point through which all traffic from Indonesia and Malaysia must pass to access central and northern Thailand, as well as the rest of Indochina. Thai Press reports say the truck driver was held for violations under Thailand's Customs regulations and for flouting laws that govern international trade in wildlife under the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna.
The endangered Pangolin commonly turns up in seizures around the region and is trafficked in large volumes for the illegal meat and medicine markets. The suspect and the wildlife seized have been handed over to the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department for further investigation and action. This recent seizure follows close on the heels of the Customs Department's recent find of 1,800 monitor lizards which smugglers were attempting to traffic across the border from Malaysia in several pickup trucks. "Thailand's Customs authorities should be congratulated for catching this shipment," said TRAFFIC Regional Director Dr. William Schaedla. "Pangolin trafficking up the Malay Peninsula and along this roadway are regular tragic occurrences.
TRAFFIC is hopeful that interdictions like this will become a deterrent that breaks the trade chain that is robbing Southeast Asia of its wildlife," he said. In early April, a team of Malaysian wildlife officers in the northern state of Kelantan seized 40 pangolins, weighing a total of 200 kilograms, from a car believed to be heading for China via Thailand.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Ploughshare Tortoises Find Their Way Home
Channelon-Line TV/Jersey News. 10/29/10
The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is celebrating the news that three of four ploughshare tortoises, stolen from its base in Madagascar, have been returned to the Trust.
The four tortoises were stolen in May last year, as they were about to be released into their native habitat in the north-west of Madagascar. Each animal was at least 15 years old and part of Durrell's long term captive
breeding programme for the species.
One of the animals was retreived in a shipment of smuggled tortoises about to leave Anatnanarivo airport, and another was retreived after it appeared on a Malaysian website, on sale for $15,000.
The third and most recent one was recovered following the seizure of an illegal shipment of animals by the Malaysian authorities in Kuala Lumpur this summer.
In July, two women were caught travelling with suitcases containing 400 radiated tortoises, 11 spider tortoises and four ploughshare tortoises.
The three tortoises will now all rejoin Durrell's captive breeding programme, which has been placed under strict police protection.
Richard Lewis, Director of Durrell's Madagascar Programme said: "This is a really important event. Not only have we been able to recover this animal, it is a powerful signal from the Malaysian Government that they will not stand for the illegal shipment of threatened species through their borders. Most of the illegal trade in wildlife from Madagascar is routed through South East Asian countries and we hope that this is a precedent
that can be followed by other countries such as Thailand and Indonesia to show that there is no future to illegally stripping Madagascar of its natural heritage for profit."
The investigation into the wherebouts of the fourth missing tortoise continues however, and the hope is that it might be part of batch seized at Bangkok Airport on 11th October, including one medium sized ploughshare. Durrell are currently working with TRAFFIC and the Thai authorities to confirm whether this is the last of the four.
From: HerpDigest Volume # 10 Issue # 46 10/30/10 (A Not-for-Profit Publication)
The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is celebrating the news that three of four ploughshare tortoises, stolen from its base in Madagascar, have been returned to the Trust.
The four tortoises were stolen in May last year, as they were about to be released into their native habitat in the north-west of Madagascar. Each animal was at least 15 years old and part of Durrell's long term captive
breeding programme for the species.
One of the animals was retreived in a shipment of smuggled tortoises about to leave Anatnanarivo airport, and another was retreived after it appeared on a Malaysian website, on sale for $15,000.
The third and most recent one was recovered following the seizure of an illegal shipment of animals by the Malaysian authorities in Kuala Lumpur this summer.
In July, two women were caught travelling with suitcases containing 400 radiated tortoises, 11 spider tortoises and four ploughshare tortoises.
The three tortoises will now all rejoin Durrell's captive breeding programme, which has been placed under strict police protection.
Richard Lewis, Director of Durrell's Madagascar Programme said: "This is a really important event. Not only have we been able to recover this animal, it is a powerful signal from the Malaysian Government that they will not stand for the illegal shipment of threatened species through their borders. Most of the illegal trade in wildlife from Madagascar is routed through South East Asian countries and we hope that this is a precedent
that can be followed by other countries such as Thailand and Indonesia to show that there is no future to illegally stripping Madagascar of its natural heritage for profit."
The investigation into the wherebouts of the fourth missing tortoise continues however, and the hope is that it might be part of batch seized at Bangkok Airport on 11th October, including one medium sized ploughshare. Durrell are currently working with TRAFFIC and the Thai authorities to confirm whether this is the last of the four.
From: HerpDigest Volume # 10 Issue # 46 10/30/10 (A Not-for-Profit Publication)
Ploughshare Tortoises Find Their Way Home
Channelon-Line TV/Jersey News. 10/29/10
The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is celebrating the news that three of four ploughshare tortoises, stolen from its base in Madagascar, have been returned to the Trust.
The four tortoises were stolen in May last year, as they were about to be released into their native habitat in the north-west of Madagascar. Each animal was at least 15 years old and part of Durrell's long term captive
breeding programme for the species.
One of the animals was retreived in a shipment of smuggled tortoises about to leave Anatnanarivo airport, and another was retreived after it appeared on a Malaysian website, on sale for $15,000.
The third and most recent one was recovered following the seizure of an illegal shipment of animals by the Malaysian authorities in Kuala Lumpur this summer.
In July, two women were caught travelling with suitcases containing 400 radiated tortoises, 11 spider tortoises and four ploughshare tortoises.
The three tortoises will now all rejoin Durrell's captive breeding programme, which has been placed under strict police protection.
Richard Lewis, Director of Durrell's Madagascar Programme said: "This is a really important event. Not only have we been able to recover this animal, it is a powerful signal from the Malaysian Government that they will not stand for the illegal shipment of threatened species through their borders. Most of the illegal trade in wildlife from Madagascar is routed through South East Asian countries and we hope that this is a precedent
that can be followed by other countries such as Thailand and Indonesia to show that there is no future to illegally stripping Madagascar of its natural heritage for profit."
The investigation into the wherebouts of the fourth missing tortoise continues however, and the hope is that it might be part of batch seized at Bangkok Airport on 11th October, including one medium sized ploughshare. Durrell are currently working with TRAFFIC and the Thai authorities to confirm whether this is the last of the four.
From: HerpDigest Volume # 10 Issue # 46 10/30/10 (A Not-for-Profit Publication)
The Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust is celebrating the news that three of four ploughshare tortoises, stolen from its base in Madagascar, have been returned to the Trust.
The four tortoises were stolen in May last year, as they were about to be released into their native habitat in the north-west of Madagascar. Each animal was at least 15 years old and part of Durrell's long term captive
breeding programme for the species.
One of the animals was retreived in a shipment of smuggled tortoises about to leave Anatnanarivo airport, and another was retreived after it appeared on a Malaysian website, on sale for $15,000.
The third and most recent one was recovered following the seizure of an illegal shipment of animals by the Malaysian authorities in Kuala Lumpur this summer.
In July, two women were caught travelling with suitcases containing 400 radiated tortoises, 11 spider tortoises and four ploughshare tortoises.
The three tortoises will now all rejoin Durrell's captive breeding programme, which has been placed under strict police protection.
Richard Lewis, Director of Durrell's Madagascar Programme said: "This is a really important event. Not only have we been able to recover this animal, it is a powerful signal from the Malaysian Government that they will not stand for the illegal shipment of threatened species through their borders. Most of the illegal trade in wildlife from Madagascar is routed through South East Asian countries and we hope that this is a precedent
that can be followed by other countries such as Thailand and Indonesia to show that there is no future to illegally stripping Madagascar of its natural heritage for profit."
The investigation into the wherebouts of the fourth missing tortoise continues however, and the hope is that it might be part of batch seized at Bangkok Airport on 11th October, including one medium sized ploughshare. Durrell are currently working with TRAFFIC and the Thai authorities to confirm whether this is the last of the four.
From: HerpDigest Volume # 10 Issue # 46 10/30/10 (A Not-for-Profit Publication)
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Smugglers Now After Venomous Snakes
by Ajay Kanth, ExpressBuzz
KOCHI: After ivory, ganja and sandalwood, the smugglers are now madly after King Cobra and other venomous snakes in the forests as 10 ml venom of a King Cobra would fetch crores of rupees in the international black market.
The smuggling of snake venom had come to light after the recent seizure of 200 ml of King Cobra venom at Kanjikode, near Palakkad.
"Though the police had earlier information on operation of such rackets, the seizure of 200 ml of King Cobra venom was the first of its kind in the state.
A case has been registered against two persons and a lab analysis report has confirmed it as King Cobra venom," said Crime Branch SP P Vijayan.
He said as per preliminary reports, the venom would be first smuggled to northern parts of the state from where it would be shipped to South-East Asian nations.
"The enzyme in the venom is processed and converted into a drug which will offer an extra kick when taken along with hashish or brown sugar," Vijayan said and added tha t the smuggling of venom had increased in the recent times as a lot of big buyers had come forward to offer huge money for it.
"Compared to other contrabands, the venom is easy to smuggle as majority of enforcement agencies cannot easily identify it unless and until a lab analysis is done," said a senior police official. Chief Wildlife Warden K
A Ouseph said there had been a lot of reports on venom smuggling and the Forest Department had already conducted several raids at various places.
"We do not think that the smugglers extract venom after catching snakes in the forest.
Reports have pointed out that the smugglers rear snakes at their homes and at several clandestine places to extract venom from them," the official said and added that they would further intensify their operation to track those persons who were violating the provisions in the Wildlife Act.
From: HerpDigest Volume # 10 Issue # 46 10/30/10 (A Not-for-Profit Publication)
KOCHI: After ivory, ganja and sandalwood, the smugglers are now madly after King Cobra and other venomous snakes in the forests as 10 ml venom of a King Cobra would fetch crores of rupees in the international black market.
The smuggling of snake venom had come to light after the recent seizure of 200 ml of King Cobra venom at Kanjikode, near Palakkad.
"Though the police had earlier information on operation of such rackets, the seizure of 200 ml of King Cobra venom was the first of its kind in the state.
A case has been registered against two persons and a lab analysis report has confirmed it as King Cobra venom," said Crime Branch SP P Vijayan.
He said as per preliminary reports, the venom would be first smuggled to northern parts of the state from where it would be shipped to South-East Asian nations.
"The enzyme in the venom is processed and converted into a drug which will offer an extra kick when taken along with hashish or brown sugar," Vijayan said and added tha t the smuggling of venom had increased in the recent times as a lot of big buyers had come forward to offer huge money for it.
"Compared to other contrabands, the venom is easy to smuggle as majority of enforcement agencies cannot easily identify it unless and until a lab analysis is done," said a senior police official. Chief Wildlife Warden K
A Ouseph said there had been a lot of reports on venom smuggling and the Forest Department had already conducted several raids at various places.
"We do not think that the smugglers extract venom after catching snakes in the forest.
Reports have pointed out that the smugglers rear snakes at their homes and at several clandestine places to extract venom from them," the official said and added that they would further intensify their operation to track those persons who were violating the provisions in the Wildlife Act.
From: HerpDigest Volume # 10 Issue # 46 10/30/10 (A Not-for-Profit Publication)
Smugglers Now After Venomous Snakes
by Ajay Kanth, ExpressBuzz
KOCHI: After ivory, ganja and sandalwood, the smugglers are now madly after King Cobra and other venomous snakes in the forests as 10 ml venom of a King Cobra would fetch crores of rupees in the international black market.
The smuggling of snake venom had come to light after the recent seizure of 200 ml of King Cobra venom at Kanjikode, near Palakkad.
"Though the police had earlier information on operation of such rackets, the seizure of 200 ml of King Cobra venom was the first of its kind in the state.
A case has been registered against two persons and a lab analysis report has confirmed it as King Cobra venom," said Crime Branch SP P Vijayan.
He said as per preliminary reports, the venom would be first smuggled to northern parts of the state from where it would be shipped to South-East Asian nations.
"The enzyme in the venom is processed and converted into a drug which will offer an extra kick when taken along with hashish or brown sugar," Vijayan said and added tha t the smuggling of venom had increased in the recent times as a lot of big buyers had come forward to offer huge money for it.
"Compared to other contrabands, the venom is easy to smuggle as majority of enforcement agencies cannot easily identify it unless and until a lab analysis is done," said a senior police official. Chief Wildlife Warden K
A Ouseph said there had been a lot of reports on venom smuggling and the Forest Department had already conducted several raids at various places.
"We do not think that the smugglers extract venom after catching snakes in the forest.
Reports have pointed out that the smugglers rear snakes at their homes and at several clandestine places to extract venom from them," the official said and added that they would further intensify their operation to track those persons who were violating the provisions in the Wildlife Act.
From: HerpDigest Volume # 10 Issue # 46 10/30/10 (A Not-for-Profit Publication)
KOCHI: After ivory, ganja and sandalwood, the smugglers are now madly after King Cobra and other venomous snakes in the forests as 10 ml venom of a King Cobra would fetch crores of rupees in the international black market.
The smuggling of snake venom had come to light after the recent seizure of 200 ml of King Cobra venom at Kanjikode, near Palakkad.
"Though the police had earlier information on operation of such rackets, the seizure of 200 ml of King Cobra venom was the first of its kind in the state.
A case has been registered against two persons and a lab analysis report has confirmed it as King Cobra venom," said Crime Branch SP P Vijayan.
He said as per preliminary reports, the venom would be first smuggled to northern parts of the state from where it would be shipped to South-East Asian nations.
"The enzyme in the venom is processed and converted into a drug which will offer an extra kick when taken along with hashish or brown sugar," Vijayan said and added tha t the smuggling of venom had increased in the recent times as a lot of big buyers had come forward to offer huge money for it.
"Compared to other contrabands, the venom is easy to smuggle as majority of enforcement agencies cannot easily identify it unless and until a lab analysis is done," said a senior police official. Chief Wildlife Warden K
A Ouseph said there had been a lot of reports on venom smuggling and the Forest Department had already conducted several raids at various places.
"We do not think that the smugglers extract venom after catching snakes in the forest.
Reports have pointed out that the smugglers rear snakes at their homes and at several clandestine places to extract venom from them," the official said and added that they would further intensify their operation to track those persons who were violating the provisions in the Wildlife Act.
From: HerpDigest Volume # 10 Issue # 46 10/30/10 (A Not-for-Profit Publication)
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